The series ends for Paris Basketball. At the top of the Euroleague thanks to an incredible series of ten consecutive successes, the Parisians fell this Friday evening at the Astroballe against their compatriots from Lyon-Villeurbanne (98-93). More incisive and committed from the first quarter, Asvel won its sixth victory on the European scene this season, getting closer to the famous top 10 qualifying for the final stages.
If all eyes were on his duel with magician TJ Shorts, Théo Maledon (22 points) was far from ridiculous. Solid in the face of Parisian defensive pressures, precise with free throws, the French international even had an excellent first period, notably putting his teammate Neal Sako into orbit, author of a flawless two-pointer (7/7). Before confirming the victory of his team with a superb three points two minutes from the end of the match.
Dominated from the first action and three baskets from Neal Sako, the players from the capital took the advantage for a few seconds thanks to Maodo Lô (13-14, 5th), before suffering the impact of Nando De Colo and his Villeurbannais. Thanks to a good series at the end of the second quarter, it was the locals who had the advantage at the break (49-40).
Shorts’ 29 points are not enough
However, we must never bury the Parisians who, although visibly tired, have not given up. Carried by an untenable TJ Shorts, Tiago Splitter’s men recovered at 52-52, before conceding a new series. Finally out of his box, Nadir Hifi however revived his team with an unbalanced three-pointer of which he alone has the secret.
The final quarter was stifling. Led as it had been since the first seconds of the match, Paris Basketball refused to let an 11th victory in a row slip away, like its boss, TJ Shorts, who finished the match with a total of 29 points. Another impressive performance for the American, the best player in Europe currently, which however was not enough. In quick succession, Théo Maledon and Nando de Colo delivered the coup de grace, closing the match with a huge defense.
